Bride and Groom Who Have It All: Suggest Gift to Charity

Mother of the Bride, when it comes time for your daughter and her intended to think about wedding gift options, remember that different couples will have different needs and desires. Some couples will want to register for gifts at a variety of outlets while others will select only one. Some couples are setting up housekeeping for the first time while others have already acquired many belongings.

If your sweet couple falls into the category of those who already have it all, maybe they would like to suggest that their guests give to a charity in honor of their marriage. In lieu of stating where they are registered on the wedding invitation or enclosed card, they could have a message similar to this one:

Brian and Robin have already acquired much of what they need for housekeeping. It would bring them great joy if you would give a gift in their honor to the charity of your choice and then share news of it with them in a card.

Is this something that might appeal to your daughter and soon-to-be son, MOB? If so, share the idea with them and see what happens. What a difference it could make for many!

*You might also like to read Wedding Registry Roundup and Mother of the Bride—Info Source for Gift-Givers.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, comes out tomorrow. It’s not too late to receive it (though you won’t be eligible for the giveaway until the next issue.) Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Flickr photo by in pastel, Creative Commons License

A Prayer for the Newlyweds

4813708804_b236e8f1a1_zMother of the Bride, here is a prayer you can tuck away for the days and months following the Big Day—a prayer for your sweet newlywed couple. Prayer is one priceless yet simple way you can continue to gift your darling daughter and her new husband after they are married. Hope this prayer gives voice to the beat of your heart!

A Gift of Prayer for the Newlyweds

Thank you, Lord, for joining the lives
of this couple so dear to me,
this man, this woman, so deeply in love
pledging themselves to total union.
Lord, give them wisdom to model their love
after your very own,
may love and forgiveness flow without limit,
may kindness be their guide.
Bless them, Lord, beyond their dreams
grant them memories that make them smile,
give them vision to make a difference
to serve loved ones and strangers alike.
Gift them, Father, with many years
living life side by side,
growing even more deeply in love—
this man, this woman, united.

Give the gift of prayer, MOB. It’s a gift that will make a difference.

*You might also like to read Mothers of the Bride Need Prayer.

*I thought Valentine’s Day was the perfect day to share this encore post from 2015. Hope you enjoyed!

Copyright © Cheryl Barker

*If you read this piece publicly or print it out, please give attribution by saying it’s by Cheryl Barker, author of Mother of the Bride. Thanks!

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter which includes a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out the first of the month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Villa Amor in Sayulita, Creative Commons License

Sweet Engagement Photo with Your Favorite Pooch

11875968776_9ddc4d8a5d_z*Giveaway winner announced below!

Mother of the Bride, does your daughter or her beloved have a dog they love to pieces? If so, they might want to think of ways to include their favorite pooch in part of the upcoming festivities.

One way they can include—and remember for posterity—their own “man’s best friend” is to ask their photographer to include the dog in one or two of the engagement shots.

I love the way the shot above is done with the freshly groomed furry friend in the foreground of the shot and the couple kissing in the background. Especially love the bokeh effect. A shot set up and taken like this ends up being both cute and romantic at the same time, doesn’t it?

So MOB, if your sweet couple are dog lovers, be sure to share this idea with them. Even if the doggy doesn’t cooperate, they’ll still end up with some sure-to-be funny shots—plus new memories made in the process!

*You might also like to read Man’s Best Friend as Ring Bearer and Cute Engagement Photo Idea: Include the Dog!

*The winner of the Kick Off the Holiday Giveaway is Joanna! Merry Christmas, Joanna! I’ll put your copy of Mother of the Bride along with the Starbucks gift card in the mail today!

*Flickr photo by Ryan Smith Photography, Creative Commons License

Engagement Photo Idea: Barefootin’!

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Mother of the Bride, are you gathering engagement photo ideas for your bride and groom-to-be? If not, why not start today? I bet they’ll welcome a few suggestions as they make a list of shots they might want their photographer to capture.

It’s always fun to throw in a couple of fun and unexpected shots into the more traditional mix of photos so the suggestion pictured above might be just what your happy couple is looking for. It’s fairly standard to see a shot of the couple’s hands in order to showcase the engagement ring, but why not have a cute shot of their feet as well? I love how the little lady above is standing on tiptoe.

So go ahead and ask them, MOB, if they’d like to do some barefootin’ during their photo session. Share this post with them or pin the image on one of your Pinterest boards. And while you’re at it, pop over and take a look at my board of engagement photo ideas if you’d like!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photo Idea: Sweep Her Off Her Feet, Engagement Photo Idea: Playground Fun, Engagement Photo Idea: The Eskimo Kiss!, and Engagement Photo Idea: Include Heart Balloons!

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out this week. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by jordandouglas, Creative Commons License

A Winner Plus A Message for the Newlyweds

12893863323_341719a366_zThe day has come—time to announce the winner of the Mother of the Bride Book Launch Giveaway! That lucky winner is . . . drumroll, please . . . Susan Best! Congrats, Susan! I’ll get your winnings to you as soon as possible. I hope you enjoy each and every item and find my book to be super helpful and encouraging.

And now a little gift for the rest of you—a special message you can share with your sweet soon-to-be newlyweds! Perhaps you could share this message with them by reading it at the wedding reception during the time for toasts or perhaps you could mail it to them in a card. It could be a sweet surprise waiting for them as they return from their honeymoon.

Hope you enjoy sharing this with the new Mr. and Mrs.!

For You, Dear Newlyweds

What a joy it’s been to watch
Your story of love unfold,
From dating to engagement to marriage vows
You’ve made the perfect couple.
The wedding may be over now
But there’s still much to celebrate,
A chance to say “I do” again
Each day for the rest of your lives.
Right now that may seem easy
But days of challenge may lie ahead,
Keep saying “I do”, keep choosing love,
The rewards will surely come.
One day you’ll be that older couple
That everyone admires,
They’ll see your lasting mutual love
And decide to work for their own.
But today live life as newlyweds
Enjoy these fleeting days,
And in the process you’ll inspire
Others to choose love again.

Copyright © Cheryl Barker

*When you read this piece or print it out, please give attribution by saying it’s by Cheryl Barker, author of Mother of the Bride. Thanks!

*You might also like to read A Prayer for the Newlyweds and Gift Idea: The Newlywed’s Instruction Manual.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early August. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by KerriNikolePhotography, Creative Commons License